BMW MOTORSPORT.ALL FOR ONE THING: DRIVING PERFORMANCE.

With powerful performance at the heart of BMW, it's fitting that last year held many highlights for BMW Motorsport in America. In the inaugural season of the Tudor United SportsCar Championship (USCC), BMW Team RLL recorded two pole positions and six GTLM podium finishes, while Turner Motorsports won four races in the GTD class, enough to earn them both Team and Driver (Dane Cameron) titles in their category.

In the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge (CTSC), 19-year old Trent Hindman and his co-driver John Edwards brought their Grand Sport (GS) Class BMW M3 home in second place at the season finale in Road Atlanta. As a result, Hindman earned his first professional title (GS Driver Championship). It was also enough for the Fall-Line Motorsports team to secure the Team title, and for BMW to win a third Manufacturer championship in 5 years (2010, 2011, 2014). In the Street Tuner (ST) Class, drivers Terry Borcheller and Mike LaMarra finished the season in fourth place with the #23 Burton Racing BMW 128i, making the 2013 ST co-champions the highest-placing BMW drivers in the ST class last season.

If this is any indication of what the upcoming year will bring, 2015 is set to be stellar for BMW Motorsport.

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RAHAL LETTERMAN LANIGAN RACING

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLLR), based in Hilliard, Ohio, has been competing for over a decade. Co–owned by three–time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner, Bobby Rahal, and CBS LATE SHOW host, David Letterman, the team has compiled 22 victories, 31 pole finishes, two series championships (1992, 2010), and an Indianapolis 500 championship (Buddy Rice, 2004).

In 2009, the team joined BMW of North America to race the M3 Coupe as the BMW Team RLL in the GT class of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). During the 2010 season, the team took home the ALMS Manufacturer and Team championships. They achieved even greater success in 2011, completing a sweep of all ALMS GT class titles.

In 2012, Team RLL defended their Sebring and Road America victories, adding an additional four podiums throughout the season. In 2013, the team triumphed in two ALMS races in the BMW Z4 GTE's debut season and Dirk Müller won second place in the Manufacturer's, Team's and Driver's Championships.

Jay O'Connell

As technical director for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Jay O'Connell will continue his success in open-wheel and sports car racing by strengthening the operations of the ALMS team's engineering department and its programs.

After graduating from Cornell University in 1988 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, O'Connell worked with Ford Racing CART and Jaguar Racing Formula One until 2002. O'Connell also redesigned the Panoz LMGT2 chassis, which won the 12 Hours of Sebring, and headed a team of 25 engineers working on the 2007 Shelby GT500 as their SVT Chief Vehicle Engineer for the Ford Motor Company.

Bobby Rahal

Robert “Bobby” Woodward Rahal has established himself as a legend in the world of American auto racing, taking on the roles of both team owner and driver after winning three Indy Car championships and the 1986 Indianapolis 500. He added to that legacy in 2004 by winning the Indy 500 as a team owner, becoming the second person to ever win the race as both.

As a driver, Rahal raced in Indy Car, Can–Am, Formula One and NASCAR. Rahal was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2004.

Bimmerworld

BimmerWorld Racing delivers “race-proven performance” as an experienced motorsport team in the SCCA World Challenge and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. With four years of remarkable wins and a steady presence at the front of championship standings, BimmerWorld aims to finish their fifth year in the ST class with a clean sweep across the Driver's and Team titles.

Sponsored by a premier North American parts dealership and facility, BimmerWorld is dedicated to the development of cutting-edge BMW performance.

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Burton Racing

Burton Racing lives daily by its motto of being Focused Driven Winners. Formed in 2005
by Keith Burton, the team made a full commitment in the fall of 2011 to build and race the BMW 128i Coupe in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge (CTSCC). Staying focused and working together, the Burton Racing Team was on the podium several times in 2012 and made a successful assault at winning the 2013 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Championship. "The BMW is such a great platform for our Drivers, Engineers and Crew to work off of. These cars are just so durable, beautiful and fun to drive," says Burton. Backing up the success of the 2013 racing season, the team dug deep and put the mighty little BMW 128i Coupe back in Victory Circle and placed third for the Championship. Burton Racing continues to work hard getting more and more speed out of the 128i Coupe while developing its next great BMW, the 228 M Sport. Burton Racing plans to race the 228 platform in 2015 as development progresses, stay tuned.

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Fall-Line Motorsports

Fall-Line Motorsports debuted its IMSA team in 2006 and have since won the 2010 and 2014 GS Championship titles for teams, drivers and manufacturer. In addition to fielding BMW M3's in the GS class in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge (CTSC), Fall-Line Motorsports also designs, builds, prepares and manufactures cars for other professional race teams to compete in SCCA and NASA club racing events.

In the 2014 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge (CTSC) season, 19-year old Trent Hindman took the driver title and brought Fall-Line Motorsports the Team title with co-driver John Edwards. It was the third Manufacturer championship in 5 years (2010, 2011, 2014) for BMW. Hindman returns to Fall-Line in 2015 with a new co-driver, 23-year old Ashley Freiberg, who in 2014 became the first female overall winner at the Daytona International Speedway when she won the season-opener of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

TeamTGM

TeamTGM was formed in 1991 as T. Giovanis Motorsports when it participated in a variety of racing series. In 2006, the team made the move to GRAND-AM as a privateer team and currently races the No. 64 BMW 328i in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC) Street Tuner (ST) class.

Ted Giovanis is the team owner as well as a veteran TeamTGM driver. For the 2013 season, David Murry joined the TGM team to co-drive the No. 64 BMW. Murry's extensive history and success in the sport of racing has been a huge asset to the team.

Turner Motorsport

Turner Motorsport, headquartered in Amesbury, Mass., is one of the largest independent BMW parts, performance and tuning facilities in North America. Professionally racing BMWs exclusively since 1998, Turner Motorsport has competed in over 300 races with BMW, winning seven championships in three different series for the Ultimate Driving Machine®. Their most recent title came in 2014, winning both the Tudor United SportsCar Championship (USCC) Team and Driver's Championship in the ultra-competitive TUSCC GTD class. Turner Motorsport driver Markus Palttala also won the 2014 BMW Sports Trophy as the most successful privateer driver in the world.

Bill Auberlen

The combination of BMW and Bill Auberlen is a recipe for success. It doesn’t matter which car model the American uses on-track, both driver and machine consistently operate in perfect harmony.

Auberlen shone through the whole of last season in a BMW M3 GT, but can also look back on a series of triumphs with historic cars, such as the BMW V12 LMR and the BMW M3 GTR. It started in 1997, when Auberlen celebrated his first victory with BMW by winning the IMSA GTS-3 class in an M3 for BMW Team PTG. In 1999 and 2000, Auberlen had further success for BMW Motorsport in the aforementioned BMW V12 LMR Prototype. From there, the veteran continued driving with BMW Team PTG, lead by Tom Milner, until 2006, during which time he collected a string of accolades.

His top results in classic endurance races like Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring were as convincing as his performances in the Speed World Challenge, which he won in 2003 and 2004. During the 2004 season, he set a new record by winning six consecutive races in the GRAND-AM Series at the wheel of a BMW M3, which earned him the GT title.

He has fond memories of his first win for BMW Team RLL in 2009 with the BMW M3 GT at Road America, and was victorious again at the same venue with Jörg Müller in 2012.

In 2013 he pulled off the first win in the latest BMW Z4 GTE alongside Maxime Martin.

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Augusto Farfus

Regardless of what series he has appeared in, Augusto Farfus has always established himself as one of the quickest drivers around within a very short time. He claimed win after win in the World Touring Car Championship, whilst also proving his stamina on the endurance circuit. Entering the DTM, Farfus certainly lived up to his reputation. At the end of his debut season in 2012, the Brazilian was recognized as the best rookie. In 2013, Farfus emerged as a genuine title contender. He won three races and finished runner-up in the Drivers' Championship. A young man still on the move, his rise in the sport shows no signs of ending as he enters his 4th DTM season with BMW Motorsport.

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Bruno Spengler

Bruno Spengler achieved what many people regarded as impossible: he was crowned DTM champion in his very first year at BMW Motorsport. Despite being just 31 years old, he is among the most experienced drivers in DTM. 2015 marks his eleventh season in the series, and his fourth with BMW Team Schnitzer. Spengler has 14 race wins and 16 pole positions to his name in the DTM. This year also marked a first for Spengler; the Rolex 24 at Daytona was his first-ever appearance in an endurance race.

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John Edwards

Although he’s only 24 years old, John Edwards has already written motorsport history. On January 17, 2004, the then 12 year old won a race at the Skip Barber Series in Daytona, becoming the youngest winner ever of a single-seater race.

This success won him publicity throughout the U.S. and Europe, and as a result, Edwards was invited to race in Formula Renault in 2005 and 2006. His hunt for records continued, as he became the youngest driver ever to be issued an FIA racing licence.

In 2007, Edwards made his way back to the U.S., gaining further experience in the Atlantic Championship and securing the title in 2009. He had already won the Star Mazda Championship a year earlier.

In 2010, Edwards switched to the GT class of the GRAND-AM Series, where he continued to notch up numerous race victories. He first came into contact with BMW between 2009 to 2010, when he brought home class victories for the Schubert Motorsport team in the VLN Endurance Championship on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.

He enjoyed a successful official debut with BMW Team RLL in 2013 and, since then, has—alongside Dirk Müller—guided the new BMW Z4 GTE to victory in only his second outing at Lime Rock Park.

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Lucas Luhr

Lucas Luhr has been a permanent fixture on the international motorsport scene for years. His career has already yielded an impressive collection of titles and victories. He currently has five Drivers' titles to his name in the American Le Mans Series, first in the GT class, then in the LMP2 and LMP1 class.

One of his greatest successes was the FIA GT1 World Championship Driver Title in 2011. Luhr has climbed onto the top step of the podium at the 12-hour classic in Sebring on several occasions, and has also triumphed in the 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2002 and 2003, he won the GT class at the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours. Luhr can also list several victories in the "Green Hell" among his triumphs: in 2006 and 2011 he claimed overall victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. At the 2014 24 Hours of Spa, he finished in second, driving for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS.

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Dirk Werner

After two years with BMW Team Schnitzer in DTM, Dirk Werner returned to the endurance circuit last year. His calm, consistency and experience make him the perfect spearhead for BMW Motorsport's ambitious endurance program. Last year, he finished second in the 2014 Spa 24 Hours race.

After two successful title wins in the North American GRAND-AM Series, in 2007 and in 2009, Werner received a BMW works driver contract in 2010, becoming part of the BMW return to DTM in 2012.

In 2011, he finished third in the GT class in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) with BMW Team RLL and teammate Bill Auberlen. He now returns to North America for the 2015 Tudor United SportsCar Championship (USCC) season.

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Jens Klingmann

Jens Klingmann is a product of the Formula BMW talent factory. He first came to their attention in 2006 when he finished fourth in the Formula BMW ADAC Championship and was later named "Rookie of the Year." In 2007 he took the next step, winning ten races on his way to the title. Klingmann since became a regular of the ADAC GT Masters, racing with BMW in 2009, 2013, and 2014. Last year was also the first time that he contested an entire season of the ADAC GT Masters in the BMW Z4 GT3. Other notable outings include three appearances at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, also in the BMW Z4 GT3.

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Graham Rahal

Graham Rahal is the youngest driver to win a race in IndyCar history. The son of Team Principal Bobby Rahal was just 19 years old when he triumphed in St. Petersburg in 2008.

Remarkably, this was also Rahal's first-ever race in the American single-seater series. Only three drivers before him had won on their debut.

Beginning his career as one of the very first Formula BMW USA Junior drivers in 2004, he proceeded to climb the "open wheel" ladder. Driving for his father's IndyCar team in 2013, he scored two top-five and two top-10 finishes.

As he did in 2014, he will continue to support BMW Team RLL in Daytona.

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BMW Z4 GTLM

BMW Z4 GTD

BMW M3 GS

BMW 128i and BMW 328i ST

BMW Z4 GTLM

After its anticipated debut in 2013, BMW enters its third racing year with the BMW Z4.

More compact and with a lower center of gravity than the M3 GT raced in years past, the Z4 GTLM takes every advantage of these attributes to keep BMW at the sharp end of its class. Under the sculpted hood, a race-tuned 4.4-liter V8 engine delivers a breathtaking 480 horsepower. The car triumphed in two races in its 2013 debut season, and helped BMW, BMW Team RLL and Dirk Müller to second place in the Manufacturer's, Team's and Driver's Championships. In 2014, the Z4 GTLM brought two pole positions and six podium finishes to BMW Team RLL.

BMW Z4 GTD

The 2014 season marked the BMW Z4 GTD's North American debut.

Last year, the BMW Z4 GT3 was modified slightly by IMSA to create the Z4 GTD for the GTD class, making function-driven design choices to a strong base that previously won multiple races and titles in racing series around the world. True to its racing roots, the number 94 BMW Z4 GTD entered by Turner Motorsport and driven by Dane Cameron, Markus Palttala, and Christoffer Nygaard, took the checkered flag fourth in the GTD class of the ten-hour finale race near Braselton, GA, which secured Cameron the crown in the Drivers' Championship as well as the team title for Turner Motorsport. This was the perfect conclusion to a phenomenal inaugural season that saw the BMW Z4 GTD win four races and finish two more times on the podium of the GTD class.

BMW M3 GS

With a 0—60 in the time it took to read this line.

Power has always been a dominant gene in the lineage of BMW Motorsport, and the M3 GS is the latest heir apparent to impressive performance. Simply put, it looks fast because it is. With well-sculpted aerodynamics, and the brute force of a V-8 engine that harnesses 425 HP, this coupe makes a good chase for aspiring competition.

Proof of the Ultimate Driving Machine®is in its track record.

The first United SportsCar Championship season led multiple BMW teams to some of North America's most spectacular race tracks following a successful opening at the Daytona (US) 24 Hours. BMW Team RLL recorded two pole positions and six GTLM podium finishes in 2014.

After a ten-hour race near Braselton, GA, Turner Motorsport took the checkered flag fourth in the GTD class with the BMW Z4 GTD, driven by Cameron, Palttala, and Nygaard. The win secured Cameron the crown in the drivers' classification and the team title for Turner Motorsport. Turner Motorsport celebrated a total of four GTD wins throughout the year.

BMW and Fall-Line Motorsports won the trifecta in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge in 2014 as they captured the driver, team, and manufacturer titles in the GS category. Nineteen-year-old Trent Hindman finished first in overall driver standings, the young driver's first professional driver's title. The #46 car Trent shared with John Edwards finished first in team standings, and helped BMW secure its 3rd Manufacturer's crown in the last five years.

2013

BMW and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) took home the 2013 North American Endurance Championship at the Grand–Am Brickyard Grand Prix. BMW Power and CGFRS win the Rolex 24hr in Daytona for the second time in only 4 years. BMW's 3rd overall victory at the world famous race twice around the clock.

BMW scores a 1–2 finish in the debut season of the Z4–GTE and long time BMW driver Bill Auberlen's realizes his first home track victory. Dirk Müller goes on to finish second in the ALMS GT Championship.

At the start of a whirlwind fall, Burton Racing battled for and won the CTSCC Street Turner class title during the Grand–Am Championships in September, securing BMW its second consecutive ST Manufacturer's title.

2012

The 2012 ALMS GT class saw some epic battles between BMW and its competitors. The season started with BMW Team RLL winning the 12 Hours of Sebring for the second year in a row. The team would go on to another win at Road America and finish 2nd in the Team championship and 3rd in the Manufacturers championship with a total of six podium finishes.

In the GRAND–AM Rolex Series, Chip Ganassi Racing returned with BMW once again to defend their championships. The title race would go right down to the final race of the season with Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas securing the driver’s championship at Lime Rock Park. With two wins and six podiums, Chip Ganassi Racing would win their 3rd consecutive Team championship with BMW Power.

In the GRAND–AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, BMW would go on to win the Street Tuner Manufacturers championship thanks to the successful results of Insight Racing, Bimmerworld, Epic Racing and Burton Racing.

2011

BMW and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates make an impressive return to Daytona with an incredible 1–2 finish and would later win the Manufacturer's, Team's, and Driver's Championships in a highly successful year in Grand–Am.

Turner Motorsport's Paul Dalla Lana racked up championships in the CTSCC in the GS class with the BMW M3, and the international BMW Sports Trophy as the most successful privateer BMW driver in the world.

BMW Team RLL started 2011 with three consecutive race wins. Since then, the M3 GT had an incredible run, finishing on the podium in every single ALMS event. BMW and BMW Team RLL would go on to claim the Manufacturer's and Team's Championships, while Joey Hand and Dirk Müller seized the Driver's Championship.

2010

BMW Team RLL wins the American Le Mans Series Manufacturer's and Team's Championships.

Chip Ganassi Racing announces its switch to BMW Power and goes on to win a record nine of twelve events, clinching the Team's, Driver's, and Manufacturer's Championships during BMW's debut season in the Grand-Am Rolex Series.

2009

BMW of North America announces a triumphant return to ALMS, driven by a partnership with the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Team. Together, they unveil a duo of highly anticipated, and factory-supported M3 Coupes.

2006

BMW of North America closes the most successful chapter to date of its 31-year motorsport story. From 1995 through 2006, the M3 racing program drove to 53 wins in 118 races entered, and 14 championship trophies.

BMW was back on top as two BMW Team PTG M3 Coupes combined with two BMW Motorsport M3 Coupes to dominate the ALMS GT class and sweep the Manufacturer, Team and Drivers titles with the V8-powered M3 GTR.

2000

The 12 Hours of Sebring saw the introduction of the all-new 3rd generation M3. During the tenth round, at Laguna Seca Raceway, BMW Team PTG reached the top of the podium to score the first ALMS victory for the E46 M3.

1998

Success continues with victories at both Daytona and Sebring for a second consecutive season. Racing in two series simultaneously, (USRRC and SPORTS CAR) the BMW Team PTG M3s wins seven more times, sweeping the Manufacturer, Driver and Team Championships.

1997

The BMW Team PTG M3s declared ownership of the GT class of sports car racing with wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. With an additional six more victories the Manufactuer’s title was BMW’s. Bill Auberlen secures the Driver's Crown and the Team title to PTG. As it did on the street, the four door sedan M3 becomes an equal part of the team, adding win after win.

1996

At Lime Rock Park in May, a 27-year old Bill Auberlen joined the BMW Team PTG team as a full-time driver. Auberlen would go on to win more races in an M3 than anyone in North America, personifying The Ultimate Driving Machine®.

Sears Point Raceway in July was the BMW Team PTG program's turning point. The team introduced its new, lighter ''sprint'' M3, which led a 1-2-3 BMW finish. Three more wins garnered BMW the 1996 IMSA GTS-2 Manufacturers title.

1995

The two M3 Coupes that rolled off the BMW Team PTG race truck at the 24 Hours of Daytona looked like they had come directly from the showroom. They were, however, surprisingly fast, taking the GTS-2 class pole.

1986

The BMW GTP won the 500K race from the pole at Watkins Glen. Using a larger version of the BMW F1 engine the car was capable of speeds above 200 mph.

The BMW M3 was developed for racing homologation purposes, with a requisite 5,000 cars for competition in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). It would quickly become the most victorious racing car of all time with 1,436 victories in 1,628 days.

1983

After the CSL class, the 1970s ended with a 320 Turbo program that introduced BMW's move to a more refined model. The program added to BMW's turbocharging technology, which would help a BMW-powered Brabham win the 1983 Formula One World Championship.

1976

The factory BMW team wins the 24 Hours of Daytona, with Brian Redman, Peter Gregg and John Fitzpatrick copiloting a 3.5-liter CSL. But due to contamination in the official fuel supply, British driver, Redman, spent 14 hours behind the wheel-two thirds of the actual race-after the event was halted for three hours on Sunday morning.

1975

Days after BMW of North America was incorporated, the 3.5 CSL won the 12 Hours of Sebring. The next year the car took the checkered flag at the 24 Hours of Daytona. It would go on to become the most successful touring car of its day.

Turner Motorsport came very close to not making the start after a practice crash on Friday by Marsal made for a late night and even earlier morning of repair work by the crew at a local body shop. Missing the qualifying session, Marsal started at the rear of the 17-car field composed of PC and GTD cars. He drove a strong first stint to stay on the lead lap before handing off to Dane Cameron, the 2014 GTD driver's champion, who was available to drive this weekend because the DP class he races this season was not part of the event. Cameron moved into the class lead on lap 105 and stayed out front to take the checkered flag on lap 162 for Turner Motorsport's first win of the season. The Californian set a new race record with the fastest lap of the race (53.695 seconds) on lap 79.

Teammates Bill Auberlen and Dirk Werner finished fourth in the No. 25 Z4, losing a podium finish on the last lap of the race as Edwards and the No. 3 Corvette were able to get by the Californian as he struggled with the car's balance.

Another successful weekend maintained BMW's lead in the Manufacturer points standings. Auberlen and Werner drop to second in Driver points while Edwards and Luhr remain in third. The No. 24 Z4 was awarded the DEKRA Green Challenge trophy as the most environmentally clean, fast and efficient GTLM competitor of the race.

BMW Team RLL to Start Second and Third in Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix.Werner P2, Luhr P3 in Qualifying at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — July 11, 2015... BMW Team RLL will start from the outside of the GTLM class front row and inside of the second row in tomorrow's two-hour-and-forty-minute Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada.

Dirk Werner, driving the No. 25 BMW Z4 he shares with Bill Auberlen, qualified second with a 1:14.857-minute lap around the 2.4-mile, 10-turn circuit during the 15-minute session. His time was only .028 seconds slower than the pole winner Nick Tandy in the No. 911 Porsche.

Continental Tire 150 at the Glen;Season's Best Second Place Finish for Fall-Line Motorsports BMW M3

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — June 29, 2015... Eight BMW racing cars were entered among the 45 cars that made up the field for Saturday's rain-soaked Continental Tire 150 at the Glen with the No. 46 Fall-Line Motorsports BMW M3, driven by Ashley Freiberg and Trent Hindman, scoring a season's best second place finish in the Grand Sport class.

Freiberg started from her eighth place qualifying position and raced as high as third during her stint. BMW Motorsport Junior driver Hindman moved up to second, but was unable to challenge for the win as the race was red flagged because of the wet conditions with some thirty minutes remaining, ultimately ending behind the BMW M4 safety car under the caution flag. The pair completed 45 laps of the 3.4-mile, 11-turn Watkins Glen International circuit in the 2.5-hour contest. The result moves the duo (unofficially) from fifth to third in Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Grand Sport driver points standings.

In the Street Tuner class, Terry Borcheller and Mike LaMarra, driving the No. 23 Burton Racing BMW 128i, were the top-finishing BMW drivers in eighth place. Ted Giovanis and David Murry, co-points leaders entering the event, had a disappointing day in the No. 64 Team TGM BMW 328i, finishing 26th and falling out of the top-five.

BMW Team RLL Survives to Finish Third in Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen;
Rain Reigns at Watkins Glen, But BMW Leads GTLM Class

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — June 28, 2015... Bill Auberlen and Dirk Werner drove the No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM to a third place finish in today's very wet Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen. The duo completed 157 laps of the 3.4-mile, 11-turn Watkins Glen International circuit with the race slowed by eight caution periods and red flagged during the worst downpour for 14 minutes. The race ended behind the BMW M4 safety car during the last yellow flag with the victory going to the No. 17 Porsche.

The duo's third podium finish of the season, including a win at Long Beach, moves Auberlen and Werner to the top of the GTLM driver points standings and keeps BMW at the top of GTLM manufacturer points standings.

The day ended in disappointment for the No. 24 BMW Z4 of John Edwards and Lucas Luhr as Edwards was caught out by the slick conditions on lap 77, spinning into the tire wall entering the heading into the "boot" section and was retired from the race.

BMW Team RLL to Start Second and Third at Watkins Glen International;
Sahlen's Six Hour Race Qualifying Abandoned Due To Rain

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — June 27, 2015... BMW Team RLL will start second and third in the GTLM class in tomorrow's TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen as the heavy rain conditions at Watkins Glen International caused IMSA to abandon today's qualifying session and start the field per driver points standings.

Bill Auberlen and Dirk Werner will start second in the No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM and teammates John Edwards and Lucas Luhr will start the No. 24 Z4 from third.

With two wins (Long Beach-No. 25; Laguna Seca-No. 24) and an additional two runner-up finishes (Daytona-No. 25, Laguna Seca-No.25) in the first four races of the ten-event season, BMW Team RLL sits at the top of the GTLM class Manufacturer points standings by two markers over Chevrolet. The team stands second (No. 25) and third (No. 24) in Team points with co-drivers Bill Auberlen and Dirk Werner (No. 25) and John Edwards and Lucas Luhr (No. 24) second and third in Driver points respectively.

Luhr First, Auberlen/Werner Second.

40th Anniversary of Hans J. Stuck Victory Here in 1975.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — May 3, 2015... John Edwards and Lucas Luhr drove the No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM to victory in today's two-hour-and-forty-minute TUDOR United SportsCar Championship race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The duo completed 108 laps of the 2.238-mile circuit, finishing 20.4 seconds ahead of teammates Bill Auberlen and Dirk Werner in the No. 25 Z4 GTLM. This marks the first win for BMW Team RLL at Laguna Seca, the first for Edwards and Luhr as co-drivers as well as the first for Luhr as a BMW driver.

Today's victory — the second for the team this season after Long Beach two weeks ago — comes almost exactly 40 years to the day after Hans J. Stuck drove a BMW 3.0 CSL to the win in the second heat of the IMSA Camel GT Challenge race here in 1975 - also the second win of the season for Stuck and BMW Motorsport. The BMW Team RLL Z4 GTLM cars are competing this season in a similar livery to that of the CSL to commemorate that very first season of competition for BMW Motorsport in North America.

Unofficially, the win moves BMW into first place in the GTLM Manufacturers' points standings. Auberlen and Werner remain second in Drivers' points, while Edwards and Luhr jump from fourth to third.

Luhr Qualifies Second

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — May 2, 2015... The West Coast swing of the 2015 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship continues to be a good one for BMW Team RLL as the team swept the front row of the highly competitive GTLM class in today's qualifying session for Sunday's two-hour-and-forty-minute race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, in Monterey, Calif. Two weeks ago the team captured its first TUDOR victory with a win from the pole for the No. 25 Z4 GTLM of Bill Auberlen and Dirk Werner at the Long Beach Grand Prix weekend.

Where Auberlen scored the pole at Long Beach, today it was teammate Werner posting a 1:22.362 minute lap of the classic 2.238-mile road course to best the GTLM class. The pole was Werner's second (Baltimore, 2011) and the 20th for the team since 2009.

Lucas Luhr drove the No. 24 BMW Z4 to the outside of the front row with a lap of 1:22.610 minutes. He will co-drive with John Edwards in tomorrow's race.

The victory was the first for BMW Team RLL since a win at Lime Rock Park in 2013 and the 11th since the program's inception in 2009. The win also moves Auberlen's tally of all-time North American sports car victories to 54, second only to Scott Pruett (59).

Auberlen started the race from the pole but both he and John Edwards, in the No. 24 car on the outside of the front row, were passed by the Ferrari on the first lap. Both BMWs held station for the opening stint with Auberlen the first in the class to pit on lap 31. A poorly venting fuel tank and slow fuel fill delayed Werner's departure from the pits after he exchanged with Auberlen. He dropped to fifth place as Luhr, entering the No. 24 car on the next lap, benefited from usual quick team service and took over the second position.

BMW Team RLL Claims GTLM Class Front Row at Long Beach

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — April 17, 2015... BMW Team RLL will start the third race of the 2015 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship at Long Beach, California, from the GTLM class front row.

Bill Auberlen, driving the No. 25 BMW Z4 he shares with Dirk Werner, took the pole position with a new qualifying record time of 1:17.268 minutes around the 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary circuit that runs along the Long Beach harbor. This was the veteran's first pole since Baltimore in 2013 and the first for the team since Road America last year.

John Edwards drove the No. 24 BMW Z4 to the outside of the front row with a lap of 1:17.516 minutes. He will co-drive with Lucas Luhr, a four-time winner at Long Beach, in tomorrow's race.

BMW Team RLL Misses Out on Podium in Sebring

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — March 21, 2015... Lucas Luhr (DE), John Edwards (US) and Jens Klingmann (DE) finished fourth in the GTLM class for BMW Team RLL in the 12 Hours of Sebring (US), the second round of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship (USCC). The three drivers completed a total of 329 laps with the No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM. The No. 3 Corvette crew of Antonio García (ES), Jan Magnussen (DK) and Ryan Briscoe (AU) claimed the GTLM victory.

With ambient temperatures up to 91degrees Fahrenheit, the endurance classic at the Sebring International Raceway turned out to be a truly heated affair. For most of the race, the GTLM field was running closely together, delivering some gripping racing action for the fans surrounding the 3.74-mile, 17-turn circuit. Following a final full-course yellow with two hours to go, the cars on the lead lap were once again bunched up before entering the decisive phase of the race. With final-stint driver Luhr at the wheel, the No. 24 car crossed the line in fourth after 12 hours of racing, despite a problem with the power steering in the final stages of the race.

For Dirk Werner (DE), Bill Auberlen (US) and Augusto Farfus (BR) the race didn't go according to plan with the No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM. After five and a half hours, Werner entered the pit lane with a damaged front subframe, running in sixth at that time. The necessary repair work cost the trio more than ten laps, and they dropped to the very back of the GTLM field. Werner, Auberlen and Farfus proved their fighting spirit in the second half of the race, ultimately finishing eighth.

Werner and Luhr Qualify Fourth and Sixthfor BMW Team RLL at 12 Hours of Sebring

Commemorative livery to race on both BMW Team RLL machines.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — March 20, 2015... The second race weekend of the 2015 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship (USCC) is in full swing: In qualifying for the classic 12 Hours of Sebring (US), BMW Team RLL secured fourth and sixth on the starting grid in the GTLM category and is well-prepared for Saturday's race.

For the crew of the black No. 24 car, Lucas Luhr (DE) was on duty in qualifying. Setting a time of 1:58.930 minutes, he finished sixth in the GTLM class. Luhr will alternate at the wheel of the BMW Z4 GTLM with John Edwards (US) and Jens Klingmann (DE) on the 3.7-mile, 17-turn Sebring International Raceway.

BMW Celebrates 40th Anniversary of 1975 Sebring Victory

Commemorative livery to race on both BMW Team RLL machines.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — March 17, 2015... BMW Team RLL will entertain very special guests and race with a commemorative livery on both BMW Z4 GTLM machines at the 63rd Annual 12 Hours of Sebring on Saturday, March 21. The race marks the 40th anniversary of BMW's first major sports car race victory in the US. Introduced last Friday evening by Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America, at his BMW Legends dinner during the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, BMW Team RLL will run a special livery on its two BMW Z4 GTLM race cars to honor the iconic BMW 3.0 CSL, which introduced BMW Motorsport GmbH to the U.S. four decades ago.

Joining BMW Team RLL at Sebring will be members of the 1975 BMW Motorsport team, including Jochen Neerpasch, the first BMW Motorsport Director. Brian Redman and Hans Stuck will attend, as two of the original driver lineup that also included Ronnie Petersen and Sam Posey.

Mr. Stuck was named Grand Marshall of the 2015 race, and will drive an honorary lap in a 3.0 CSL before the green flag flies.

BMW Team RLL Finishes 2nd and 4th at 53rd Rolex 24 at Daytona

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — January 25, 2015.
BMW Team RLL finished second and fourth in this weekend's 53rd Rolex 24 at Daytona on the 40th anniversary of BMW Motorsport's very first race in North America and the start of the 1975 IMSA season for the iconic BMW 3.0 CSL. With car numbers chosen to honor that car, the No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM finished second and the No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM took the checkered flag fourth.

BMW Team RLL: Rolex 24 at Daytona 18-Hour Report

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — January 25, 2015.
BMW Team RLL finished second and fourth in this weekend's 53rd Rolex 24 at Daytona on the 40th anniversary of BMW Motorsport's very first race in North America and the start of the 1975 IMSA season for the iconic BMW 3.0 CSL. With car numbers chosen to honor that car, the No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM finished second and the No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM took the checkered flag fourth.

BMW Team RLL Qualifies 4th and 7th for 53rd Rolex 24 at Daytona

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — January 25, 2015.
BMW Team RLL will start the 2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona from the fourth and seventh GTLM class positions following this afternoon's very competitive qualifying session at the Daytona International Speedway road course.

John Edwards, driving the No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM, qualified in the fourth starting spot with a lap of 1:43.966 minutes around the 3.56-mile, 12-turn circuit. His time was only 0.478 seconds slower than the pole winner. The top six qualifiers were separated by 0.498 second, only 1.271 seconds between the entire 12-car class. Edwards will share the No. 24 Z4 with Lucas Luhr, Jens Klingmann and Graham Rahal.

The No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM was qualified in the seventh position by Bill Auberlen, with a best lap of 1:44.024 minutes. He will co-drive with Augusto Farfus, Bruno Spengler and Dirk Werner in the twice-around-the-clock event.

BMW Team RLL Returns to the Rolex 24 at Daytona

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — January 20, 2015.
BMW Team RLL will begin its seventh consecutive season of sports car racing competition at this weekend's 53rd annual Rolex 24 at Daytona celebrating a very special anniversary. The race marks the 40th anniversary of BMW's first race in the US and BMW Team RLL will race with the numbers 24 and 25 on its two BMW Z4 GTLM machines in honor of the iconic BMW 3.0 CSL race cars that debuted at the same race four decades ago.

"40 years ago, while BMW of North America was still in its infancy, BMW's first national marketing program in the United States was to go racing," commented Ludwig Willisch, Chairman and CEO of BMW of North America, LLC. "BMW Motorsport introduced two BMW 3.0 CSL race cars in North America for the 1975 IMSA season at 24 Hours of Daytona. Those cars became legends and laid the foundation for success BMW has enjoyed in the past four decades, where today we are the number-one luxury brand."

"The two toughest races of the championship are the first two of the season," said Bobby Rahal, Team Principal. "With Daytona being a 24-hour race, it certainly can play a major role in the championship. The odds are probably against you to finish, so the first thing is that you've got to do everything you can to make sure you get to the end. Last year, with only a couple of hours to go we were looking pretty good; then we had one car lose a wheel bearing and the other had to stop and replace the wheel bearing as a safety precaution, so we went from a chance to win to ending up with second-place as our best finish. It sounds simplistic, but whoever spends the least amount of time in the pits is pretty much going to win. We have to approach it in the same manner this year.

Difficult USCC qualifying for BMW Team RLL at Road Atlanta

Road Atlanta (US), 3rd October 2014. In the final qualifying of the 2014 United SportsCar Championship (USCC) season at Road Atlanta (US), BMW Team RLL qualified seventh and 11th for the GTLM grid. Driving the number 56 BMW Z4 GTLM, Dirk Müller (DE) recorded a personal best time of 1:19.143 minutes in the 15-minute session. This put the German, who will share driving duties with John Edwards (US) and Dirk Werner (DE) in Saturday's race, in seventh.

At the wheel of the number 55 car, Bill Auberlen (US) tackled qualifying for the classic Petit Le Mans. After completing seven laps, the experienced BMW driver had to make do with 11th on the grid. Auberlen will alternate at the wheel of the BMW Z4 GTLM with his teammates Andy Priaulx (GB) and Joey Hand (US). It was Porsche's Nick Tandy (GB) who secured pole position, setting a best time of 1:18.350 minutes.

In the GTD class, Turner Motorsport put itself in a promising position for the final showdown of the title fight: Dane Cameron (US) clocked a time of 1:22.682 minutes, earning him fifth on the GTD grid. He will race alongside Markus Palttala (FI) in the BMW Z4 GTD. Going into the season finale, Cameron is leading the driver standings, Turner Motorsport holds the lead in the team classification.

Dane Cameron wins USCC GTD Driver title

Road Atlanta (US), 4th October 2014. The inaugural season of the United SportsCar Championship (USCC) came to a close with a turbulent Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta (US) on Saturday. BMW Team RLL's Dirk Müller (DE), John Edwards (US) and Dirk Werner (DE) came seventh in the GTLM class with their number 56 BMW Z4 GTLM after 388 laps. The 11th round of the year was won by Porsche drivers Wolf Henzler (DE), Bryan Sellers (US) and Marco Holzer (DE).

For the number 55 BMW Z4 GTLM, however, the USCC finale came to an early end: After less than three hours, Joey Hand (US) was forced to retire the car due to engine problems. Alongside Hand, the team's regular drivers Bill Auberlen (US) and Andy Priaulx (GB) had shared driving duties in the black BMW Z4 GTLM.

Another BMW team had reason to be happy after the ten-hour race near Braselton (US), Georgia: Turner Motorsport. The number 94 BMW Z4 GTD, driven by Dane Cameron (US), Markus Palttala (FI) and Christoffer Nygaard (DK), took the chequered flag fourth in the GTD class. This result secured Cameron the crown in the drivers' classification as well as the team title for Turner Motorsport.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. - Oct. 4, 2014 . . . A second-place finish by Fall-Line Motorsports BMW M3 drivers John Edwards and Trent Hindman in Friday's 2.5-hour Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race secured the first professional driver's title for 19-year old Hindman, the team championship for Fall-Line, and the third GS manufacturer's championship for BMW in the last four years (2010, 2011, 2014).

Entering the season finale at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA, Hindman held a five-point lead in the driver's standings. The 19-year old started the No. 46 Fall-Line Motorsports BMW M3 from the rear of the GS field after not posting a time in the red-flagged qualifying session on Friday. He moved strongly through the field before handing off to Edwards. Edwards held the fourth position until the third- and second-place competitors made contact with two laps remaining, and Edwards maneuvered past both. He finished 2.186 seconds behind the winning Mustang of Ian James and Billy Johnson to secure the title for Hindman and put himself into the runner-up spot.

BMW M3 Finishes 1-2 at Circuit of the Americas to Extend Championship Lead

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. - Sept. 20, 2014 . . . Fall-Line Motorsport's team strategists proved themselves to be excellent weathermen with a late-race call for wet-weather tires, in a step to secure the team's second Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge victory of the year for the No. 46 BMW M3 of John Edwards and Trent Hindman, in today's 2.5-hour race at Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, Texas. The win puts Hindman into the lead in Grand Sport Driver points, and places BMW firmly at the top of Grand Sport Manufacturer standings.

John Edwards and Dirk Müller raced to a second consecutive podium with a third-place finish in the No. 56 BMW Z4. They completed 82 laps of the 3.27-mile, 17-turn VIR circuit in the 2.75-hour contest, finishing only .764 seconds behind the winning Ferrari. The result moves Edwards and Müller into a tie for third place in GTLM driver standings with their BMW Team RLL teammates. Müller took the green flag from the fourth starting position and ran as high as third, before pitting to hand off to Edwards on Lap 29. Edwards moved up as high as second, ultimately finishing third to secure the duo's third podium finish of the season.

The No. 55 BMW Z4 of Bill Auberlen and Andy Priaulx finished fourth. The car was started by Priaulx from the second qualifying position. He held that spot for the opening hour before pitting to hand off to Auberlen on lap 28. Auberlen battled a vibration from the left rear of the car during the closing stages of the race, but was able to hold onto a fourth place finish.

BMW Team RLL Finish 2nd and 8th at Road America

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. - Aug. 10, 2014 . . . Dirk Müller secured BMW Team RLL's first podium finish in four TUDOR United SportsCar Championship races with an excellent closing stint in the No. 56 BMW Team RLL Z4 GTLM to take a second-place finish in today's Road Race Showcase at Road America. Hounded from behind by the No. 93 Viper for the final minutes Müller stayed ahead to complete 61 laps of the 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit in the 2.75-hour contest. He ultimately finished only 1.588 seconds behind the winning No. 62 Ferrari. Co-driver John Edwards started the race from the pole position and saved the day by deftly avoiding the race's first accident to suffer only minor damage to the left front fascia. He pitted during the first caution period to have the damage repaired and hand off to Müller.

The No. 55 BMW Team RLL Z4 of Bill Auberlen and Andy Priaulx finished eighth. The car was started by Bill Auberlen from his fourth-place qualifying position. He held the spot for the opening hour before pitting during the race's third caution period to hand off to Priaulx. Priaulx fell back two positions following a delay at the end of his pit stop so not to run over an errant air hose and incur a penalty. He lost two more positions during late race restarts to ultimately finish eighth.

Separately, in the GTD class, the Turner Motorsport BMW Z4 GTD, driven by Dane Cameron and Markus Palttala, raced to the team's third victory of the season (Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen International, Road America). The duo led every lap of the 59-lap GTD race.

BMW Team RLL Qualifies 1st and 4th at Road America

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. - Aug. 9, 2014 . . . John Edwards drove to the second GTLM class pole position for BMW Team RLL in the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season in this afternoon's qualifying session for Sunday's 2.75-hour Road Race Showcase at Road America, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, Edwards' lap of 2:03.747 minutes was set on his fourth round of the 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit and was one of only four qualifying times in the 2:03-minute bracket. Edwards and co-driver Dirk Müller currently stand eighth in GTLM driver points.

Bill Auberlen qualified the No. 55 Z4 GTLM in the fourth position, only 0.217 seconds from his teammate, with a 2:03.964 minute lap. Auberlen and co-driver Andy Priaulx (pole winner at Watkins Glen International) currently stand third in GTLM driver points.

Road America has been host to much of BMW Team RLL's success. In 2009, Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand drove to the program's first American Le Mans Series GT class victory after earning the team's first pole position. In 2010, Hand and Dirk Müller were the GT class winners. In 2011, the second and third steps of the podium were reached. In 2012, Auberlen and Jörg Müller were back on top of the GT podium. Last season, the team finished seventh and eighth in the first race for the Z4 GTLM at Road America.

BMW Drivers Back on the Podium at Indy;
2nd and 3rd in Grand Sport, 3rd in Street Tuner

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — July 28, 2014 . . . BMW's history of strong results in Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course continued for the third consecutive year with podium finishes in both classes in Friday's 2.5-hour race at the legendary circuit.

Trent Hindman consolidated his lead in Grand Sport class driver championship with a second-place finish in the No. 46 Fall-Line Motorsport BMW M3 he shares with John Edwards. Edwards started the race from his outside front row qualifying position. Hindman drove the second half of the race, to complete 86 laps of 2.435-mile, 14-turn circuit during the contest and finish 3.494 seconds behind the winning Camaro. Fall-Line teammates Shelby Blackstock and Joey Atterbury ran a strong race, leading 17 laps and finishing third in the No. 48 M3. Turner Motorsport drivers Tom Kimber-Smith and Michael Marsal finished seventh in the No. 97 M3.

In the Street Tuner class, Jeff Mosing and Eric Foss finished third in the No. 56 Murillo Racing BMW 328i. They were the top-finishers of the nine BMW machines in the ST class and the result keeps Foss at the top of the ST driver points standings. "Congratulations to Fall-Line Motorsports and Murillo Racing on a pair of strong performances at Indy," said Gordon McDonnell, BMWNA Motorsport Manager. "It was a fight to the finish in both classes. BMW continues its podium streak for three consecutive years at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Hindman and Foss stay on top of their respective driver's championship."

Round Seven of the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the first race of the new sports car series held at the 2.435-mile, 14-turn Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, was a dramatic affair. Contact from the extremely close competition ultimately slowed both BMWs, relegating them to sixth and seventh place finishes. After beginning the season with four consecutive podium finishes, the last three races have seen a best finish of fourth (Round Six, CTMP, 4th, No. 56).

Bill Auberlen and Andy Priaulx finished sixth in the No. 55 BMW Z4 GTLM. Priaulx started the race from the fifth position and quickly moved up to third, then second, but dropped to tenth after being forced to the pits for damage to the rear of the car after contact with a prototype car. Needing less fuel because of his early stop, the race's third caution period saw him cycle to the front of the GTLM field. A difficult restart dropped him to eighth before pitting to give Auberlen the wheel. The Californian quickly regained two positions and held the position for the remainder of the race to finish sixth.

BMW Team RLL Finish 4th and 6th at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — July 13, 2014 . . . BMW Team RLL improved from their starting positions to finish fourth and sixth in today's Sports Car Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, in Bowmanville Ontario, Canada. After a wet morning warm-up session, the 2.75-hour race was held under sunny skies and ran caution free.

The No. 56 BMW Z4 GTLM of John Edwards and Dirk Müller finished fourth, completing 126 laps of the 2.459-mile, 10-turn circuit during the event. Müller started from fifth place and held his ground for the first stint, pitting on lap 40 to hand over to Edwards. Moving up to fourth, Edwards pitted for fuel and new Michelin tires on lap 82. He raced to within 6 seconds of a podium position, but ultimately had to settle for fourth.

Bill Auberlen and Andy Priaulx also had a solid day, finishing sixth in the No. 55 BMW Z4 GTLM after starting tenth. Priaulx took the green flag with Auberlen running the middle stint from lap 43 to 83. Racing eighth in the closing stages of the race and with positions seven and sixth in sight, Priaulx made a strong move on lap 115 to take both spots. He held onto sixth for the remaining 13 minutes of the race.

Despite running near the front of the GTLM class throughout practice both cars were unable to post a faster time in today's 15-minute qualifying session. Dirk Müller qualified the No.56 BMW Z4 fifth with a time of 1:15.497 minutes around the 2.459-mile, 10-turn circuit – .291 seconds from the pole-winning Dodge Viper SRT of Kuno Wittmer. Müller's quickest practice time (1:15.270 minutes) would have qualified him second. He and co-driver John Edwards stand seventh in GTLM driver points.

Andy Priaulx qualified the No. 55 BMW Z4 tenth with a time of 1:16.395 minutes. Priaulx and co-driver Bill Auberlen currently stand second in GTLM driver points.

Edwards and Müller Finish 6th, Auberlen and Priaulx 10th

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — June 29, 2014 . . . The beginning of BMW Team RLL's Sahlen's Six Hour of the Glen story was better than the ending, as the team was unable to capitalize on its excellent starting positions (first and third) at Watkins Glen International Raceway. The day of struggle ultimately ended with sixth and tenth place finishes.

The No. 56 BMW Z4 GTLM of John Edwards and Dirk Müller finished sixth, with a relatively trouble-free race only marred by Edwards having to take evasive action due to a spinning competitor during the second hour and dropping from third to ninth. Müller moved up to sixth by the fourth hour and Edwards, back in the car at the end, crossed the finish line in sixth. They completed 185 laps of the 3.4-mile, 11-turn circuit during the six-hour contest. The race was won by the No. 3 Corvette.

Bill Auberlen and Andy Priaulx had an unfortunate day in the No. 55 BMW Z4 GTLM, having to make 10 pit stops to their teammates' six, for a myriad of problems after starting from BMW Team RLL's first pole position of the season. They worked hard to stay on the lead lap, but a stop-and-hold penalty for avoidable contact by Auberlen just before the third hour combined with three tire punctures to ultimately drop the car one lap to the leaders. Their tenth-place finish was their poorest of the season and drops them out of the lead in driver points.

BMW Teams Race to Strong Results at Lime Rock Park

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — May 27, 2014 . . . The Continental Tire Sports Car Championship headlined the racing at Lime Rock Park, in Lakeville, Conn., on May 24 with BMW teams racing to two top-five finishes in the Street Tuner class and two top-10 finishes in the Grand Sport class. In a departure from the season's opening three rounds, the results marked the first time a BMW did not finish on either class podium.

The starting grids for each of Saturday's 150-minute races were determined by points standings because heavy rain forced an end to Friday's qualifying sessions. That meant three BMWs in the top-10 Street Tuner and two in the top-five Grand Sport starting positions, including the pole for GS points leaders John Edwards and Trent Hindman.

The Street Tuner race ended with the No. 56 Murillo Racing 328i of Eric Foss and Jeff Mosing finishing fourth and the No. 82 BimmerWorld Racing 328i of James Colborn and Seth Thomas fifth. Further back in the field, Ted Giovanis and David Murry finished seventh in the No. 64 Team TGM 328i. The No. 81 BimmerWorld Racing 328i of Tyler Cooke and Gregory Liefooghe finished ninth after leading a BMW team high of 11 laps during the race.

The runner-up finish keeps Auberlen and co-driver Andy Priaulx at the top of the driver points standings and BMW Team RLL in the lead in team points. The duo completed 84 laps during the two-hour race, finishing 4.710 seconds behind the winning Corvette. Priaulx, starting from fifth place, drove the opening 50 minutes of the race before handing off to Auberlen from third on lap 36. As competitors pitted, the veteran cycled to the lead. Pitting for fuel and a fresh set of Michelin tires on lap 63, he resumed his charge back to the front from fifth. Setting the fastest lap of the race (1:23.195 minutes) on the 71st lap of the race, he passed the No. 62 Ferrari for third place on lap 79. He had a spirited battle with the No. 911 Porsche for the remaining five laps, ultimately passing for second.

The race of teammates John Edwards and Dirk Müller, in the No. 56 BMW Z4 GTLM, was affected by a vibration that forced starting driver Edwards to pit on lap 22, and later in closing stages of the race when Müller was penalized for avoidable contact and called to the pit lane for a stop-and-go penalty. They finished 10th.

BMW Team RLL Finishes 2nd and 6th at Long Beach;
BMW Remains at the Front of the GTLM Driver and Team Points Standings

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – April 12, 2014 . . .Third race, third podium: BMW Team RLL raced to a third consecutive podium in the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, finishing second and sixth in April 12th’s Sports Car Showcase at Long Beach.

John Edwards and Dirk Müller scored their first podium finish of the season, racing the No. 56 Z4 GTLM to second place. Completing 75 laps around the 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit, the duo finished 5.408 seconds behind the winning No. 3 Corvette in the 100-minute race. Edwards and Müller ran a flawless race with Edwards starting from third and moving to second on the first lap. A slower prototype car got in between the GTLM leader and Edwards effectively ending his chance to attack. He handed off to Müller on lap 31 and the BMW Motorsport driver had a great battle to hold off the No. 4 Corvette for the remaining hour of the race. Today’s result moves the pair to fourth in the GTLM points standings.

Bill Auberlen and Andy Priaulx had a disappointing finish to an excellent start, finishing sixth in the No. 55 Z4 GTLM. Priaulx started the race from the second position, dropping behind Edwards on the first lap. The teammates ran nose-to-tail for 40 minutes before Edwards pitted on lap 31. As Priaulx entered the pit lane on lap 32 he nicked the wall and knocked off the right side mirror. Auberlen had to wait an extra 15 seconds for the crew to replace the door, rejoining the race in eighth place. The defending race winner put his head down, passing the No. 62 Ferrari on lap 35 and the No. 91 Viper 16 laps later. The remaining 24 laps were not enough to make up one more position, with Auberlen finishing off the podium for the first race this season in sixth, but with enough points to retain the lead in the driver points standings.

BMW Team RLL Finishes 3rd and 10th at the 12 Hours of Sebring;No. 55 Z4 GTLM Drivers Move into Championship Points Lead

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 15, 2014... Second race, second podium: BMW Team RLL finished third and tenth in today’s 12 Hours of Sebring. Victorious twice before at the classic sports car racing endurance event (2011 and 2012), the 62nd edition of the longest half-day in motorsport relinquished only a third place finish to the No. 55 BMW Z4 GTLM for the team’s second consecutive podium of the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. The result moves Bill Auberlen, Joey Hand and Andy Priaulx to the top of the driver point standings.

The No. 55 Z4, co-driven by Bill Auberlen, Joey Hand and Andy Priaulx, took the checkered flag in third place – 5.144 seconds from the second step of the podium – completing 286 laps of the 3.74-mile, 17-turn Sebring International Raceway. The trio finished second at the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona and now stand first (unofficially) in GTLM driver points. The No. 56 Z4 finished tenth. Co-driven by John Edwards, Dirk Müller and Dirk Werner, the car experienced a number of problems during the race and finished nine laps in arrears of the class-winning Porsche.

Qualifying second (Dirk Müller) and third (Bill Auberlen), the team began its sixth Sebring race from an excellent position and ran strongly in the 11-car GTLM class for the first half of the race.

BMW Drivers Finish on the Podium in CTSCC race at Sebring;P2 in Grand Sport and P3 in Street Tuner Keeps BMW at the top of the Point Standings

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 14, 2014... BMW drivers drove to podium finishes in both the Grand Sport and Street Tuner classes in today’s 2.5-hour Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race at Sebring International Raceway. The second race of the 2014 CTSCC season finished under caution after the yellow flag waved with 22 minutes remaining and the track could not be made ready to restart the race.

John Edwards and Trent Hindman crossed the finish line in second place in the No. 46 Fall-Line Motorsports BMW M3. The duo’s second consecutive second place CTSCC finish moves the pair into the provisional Grand Sport class points lead. Fall-Line teammates DJ Randall and Ken Wilden finished sixth in the No. 47 M3.

Jeff Mosing and Eric Foss, driving the No. 56 Murillo Racing BMW 328i, finished third to be the top-finishing BMW in the Street Tuner class. The pair won the ST class in the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway and remain at the top of the provisional ST driver point standings. Terry Borcheller and Mike La Marra finished seventh in the No. 23 Burton Racing BMW 128i. The No. 81 BimmerWorld Racing BMW 328i of Tyler Cooke and Greg Liefooghe finished eighth.

BMW Drivers Begin the 2014 CTSCC Season with Victory in the BMWPerformance 200, 1-4 in Grand Sport, and 1-2 in Street Tuner.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – Jan. 24, 2014 . . . BMW drivers swept the top-four finishing positions in Grand Sport class and the top-two spots in Street Tuner class in Friday's BMW Performance 200, the opening round of the 2014 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.An ultimate start to the year, I said Gordon McDonnell, BMW NA Motorsport Manager. We know the BMW is strong at Daytona and a 1-4 in GS and a 1-2 in ST is fantastic – especially in the BMW Performance 200. Congratulations to all the BMW teams and I hope this kind of success is something we can continue.

Bill Auberlen and Paul Dalla Lana won overall in the No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M3, but were excluded from the results following a post-race technical inspection giving the victory to Shelby Blackstock and Ashley Frieberg in the No. 48 Fall-Line Motorsports BMW M3. The No. 46 Fall-Line Motorsports M3 machine followed in second. Third and fourth were the No. 97 Turner Motorsport and the 03 Rum-Bum Racing cars, respectively.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – Oct. 19, 2013 . . .BMW Team RLL finished second and fourth in today's American Le Mans Series Petit Le Mans. The 16th annual 1,000-mile race, held at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA, concluded the debut season for the new BMW Z4 GTE with BMW finishing second in the GT class Manufacturer's standings and BMW Team RLL second in the Team standings. Dirk Müller finished second in Driver points for the 2013 season.

Both BMW cars reached the top of the podium twice during the ten-race 2013 season. The No. 55 machine won at Long Beach and the No. 56 at Lime Rock Park. The team has also scored five additional podiums, four pole positions, and eight Top-5 finishes.

John Edwards started the race in the No. 56 Z4 GTE from fifth on the grid. Edwards drove a strong opening 1.5 hours before handing off to Dirk Müller on lap 62. Under the race's third caution, Bill Auberlen took over on lap 143 with 3.75 hours complete. The No. 55 car was started by Jörg Müller from the ninth spot. He stayed in the car for almost three hours before turning the car over to Maxime Martin on lap 120.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – Oct. 5, 2013 . . .BMW Team RLL finished fourth and fifth in today's 2.75-hour American Le Mans Series Oak Tree Grand Prix at Virginia International Raceway. A spirited drive and great battle by Dirk Müller in the No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE during the final minutes of the race secured the fourth-place finish to keep the BMW Motorsport driver second in Driver Championship point standings, now 16 points behind the leaders. The No. 55 BMW Z4 GTE of Bill Auberlen and Maxime Martin finished fifth.

Competing in his last ALMS race of the season before returning to Germany to finish his second year of the DTM series, Joey Hand started the No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE from the third position Müller earned in yesterday's qualifying session. Hand pitted on lap 36 to turn the car over to Müller. Racing in the fifth position for the next 27 laps, Müller made a strong pass for fourth on lap 63. He lost the position 13 laps later, but regained it on the last lap of the race to post a hard-earned fourth-place finish.

The team decided pole winner Maxime Martin would finish the race, so Bill Auberlen started the No. 55 machine from the front of the 11-car GT field. He pitted during the race's first caution period and ran as high as fourth in the opening minutes of the race. The fortunes of the No. 55 car turned worse as Auberlen's left-side door hinge failed and forced a second stop just past the one-hour mark. Martin swapped into the seat and rejoined the race tenth, practically two laps behind the leaders. While the race's pace was slowed by two more caution periods, Martin kept his head down and in the final 45 minutes of the race regained the lost laps and charged up five positions to finish fifth.

BMW Team RLL Finishes Third and Fourth at Circuit of the Americas

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – Sept. 21, 2013 …BMW Team RLL finished third and fourth in today’s inaugural American Le Mans Series race at the Circuit of the Americas. Both BMW Z4 GTE machines ran strongly for the majority of the race, only to fall victim to the top speed advantage of the Corvettes and Vipers in the closing stage of the 2.75-hour event.

John Edwards and Dirk Müller claimed third in the No. 56 Z4 GTE for Müller’s second consecutive podium appearance. The result, combined with the withdrawal of the No. 4 Corvette during the race, moves Müller (preliminary) to second in the GT driver point standings, 13 points behind the leaders.

Despite qualifying fourth, Edwards had to start the No. 56 car from the rear of the entire field of 33 cars due to a miscue of the team with the qualifying tires. He charged back to fifth in class before pitting on lap 24, some 50 minutes into the race. Müller rejoined the race in ninth and drove an equally strong first stint to be in third before making his final pit stop on lap 48. Müller then charged to second position and hounded the leading Corvette for the remainder of the race. On the last lap, he was unable to defend the Viper on the long, uphill front straight and was forced to settle for the last step of the podium.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – Sept. 9, 2013 …Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, driving the No. 01 CGRFS Telcel/TELMEX BMW Riley, finished second in Sunday’s 2.75-hour GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car race at Laguna Seca Raceway. The duo’s third runner-up finish in the last four races keeps their battle for a fourth consecutive Daytona Prototype driver’s championship alive. Now only eight points behind the leaders, the title will be decided at the Lime Rock Park season finale on Sept. 28.

The No. 02 CGRFS Cessna BMW Riley, driven by IndyCar stars Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti, made a second appearance this season to race in support of Pruett and Rojas’ title challenge. Dixon and Franchitti finished third, resulting in an 11-point lead in the team point standings for the Ganassi team. BMW remains second in Daytona Prototype Manufacturer standings.

BMW Team RLL Finishes 3rd and 4th at Baltimore

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – Aug. 31, 2013 . . . …BMW Team RLL finished third and fourth in today's American Le Mans Series Grand Prix of Baltimore that will go into the record books as the shortest race in ALMS history due to a crash on the first lap that cost the event half of its duration.

The checkered flag flew only one-hour-and-fourteen-minutes after the green flag waved with Dirk Müller and Joey Hand finishing third in the No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE and the No. 55 machine of Bill Auberlen and Maxime Martin coming home fourth.

The crash occurred just after the green flag waved, blocking the circuit and involving eight cars. Polesitter Bill Auberlen, in the No. 55 Z4 GTE, just skirted by and Joey Hand, starting the No. 56 Z4 GTE from the 11th position, was able to stop the car untouched. The restart began with two laps behind the pace car and the always quick thinking Bobby Rahal called Hand into the pits immediately - sacrificing the Californian's minimum drive time and points Ã± to get Müller in the No. 56 right away. Hand may have set a record for the shortest drive in ALMS history, but the move put Müller in the lead and gave him the best chance to stay in the race for the driver's title. Unfortunately, following the race's last restart Müller was slowed by a prototype car that missed the line through the chicane and was passed by both Corvettes.

BMW Drivers Post Strong Finishes at Kansas Speedway

Pruett/Rojas Second in DP, Borcheller/LaMarra Take ST Point Lead

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – Aug. 17, 2013 …Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas continued to fight for a fourth consecutive GRAND-AM Daytona Prototype driver's championship by posting a runner up finish at Saturday's inaugural Rolex Sports Car Series race at the Kansas Speedway. With three top-five finishes in the last three races, the CGRFS duo has moved to sixth in the standings. With only five points separating the top-six positions in the championship, Pruett and Rojas join Starworks Motorsports co-drivers Ryan Dalziel and
Alex Popow as the top BMW-powered drivers in the title battle.

Coming to Kansas, Starworks Motorsport had won the two previous races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Road America, but had a disappointing evening in the Sunflower State. Brickyard Grand Prix winners Ryan Dalziel and Alex Popow finished 11th in the No. 2 BMW Riley and dropped to third in driver points. Teammates Brendon Hartley and
Scott Mayer, winners at Road America, finished sixth in the No. 8 machine.

Team Sahlen equaled their performance in Detroit by posting a double top-10 finish with the No. 42 BMW Riley (seventh) and the No. 43 BMW Riley (tenth).

"We made a particularly good call to get the No. 56 on dry tires as soon as we could," said Bobby Rahal, Team Principal. "It gained us the lead, but as the track dried and the speeds picked up, great strategy was no substitute for a 10 kph top speed disadvantage. As much as Road America is my favorite racetrack, I'm looking forward to tracks with shorter straights."

Bill Auberlen and Maxime Martin finished seventh in the No. 55 Z4 GTE after starting from the seventh grid position. John Edwards and Dirk Müller started from the ninth spot and finished eighth in the No. 56 machine. The result dropped Müller from the lead to a three-way tie for second place in the driver's championship.

Today's finish was disappointing for BMW Team RLL following fifth and sixth place finishes in the last round at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (formally Mosport) and having won the GT class at Road America in three of the previous four ALMS seasons.

"We made a particularly good call to get the No. 56 on dry tires as soon as we could," said Bobby Rahal, Team Principal. "It gained us the lead, but as the track dried and the speeds picked up, great strategy was no substitute for a 10 kph top speed disadvantage. As much as Road America is my favorite racetrack, I'm looking forward to tracks with shorter straights."

Turner Motorsport finished first and third in the GT contest with Bill Auberlen and Paul Dalla Lana racing to their third win of the season. Auberlen prevailed in a grand battle during the closing stages of the race after Dalla Lana started the No. 94 BMW M3 from a career-best outside front row starting position. Michael Marsal and BMW Motorsport driver Maxime Martin finished third in the No. 93 machine. It was Martin's second race ever for Turner Motorsport and first ever race at Road America. The win was number 27 in Auberlen's stellar career and ties him with Memo Rojas for second in career Rolex victories.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. July 27, 2013 . . . Ryan Dalziel and Alex Popow won the 3-hour GRAND-AM Brickyard Grand Prix in the No. 2 Starworks Motorsports BMW Riley, finishing 3.438 seconds ahead of the No. 01 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates BMW Riley of Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas. The 1-2 finish added an exclamation point to the story of the debut race for the new BMW 4.5-liter powerplant. The victory moved Dalziel and Popow to the top of the Daytona Prototype driver point standings and the runner-up finish won CGRFS a $100,000 payday for the 2013 North American Endurance Championship.

"I am so thrilled for everyone; this win is great," said Peter Baron, Starworks Motorsports Team Principal. "We can't thank everyone at BMW of North America and Dinan Cars enough for getting us here in a week. Our crew was also unbelievable to get to grips so quickly with a new engine; a different handling car and the drivers were all amazing too. It feels so great that we are kissing the bricks again and now, with a 10 points lead in the Championship, this win could not have come at a better time for our title bid."

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – July 21, 2013 . . .BMW Team RLL did all it could today at the Mobil 1 Sports Car Grand Prix, at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, but ultimately ended the 2.45-hour race fifth and sixth in the GT class.

Both Z4 GTE race cars held the lead during the mistake free-race. Maxime Martin set the fastest lap of the race (1:15.907 minutes, L102) in the closing minutes of the contest. Unfortunately, the top speed deficit of the BMWs to the Corvettes and Vipers was very evident on Mosport's long straights and, while able to run a single quick lap, the BMW's were unable to stay in front of the larger displacement cars.

Dirk Müller and Joey Hand, driving the No. 56 Z4 GTE, finished fifth, completing 123 laps of the 2.46-mile, 10-turn circuit during the race to retain (unofficially) Müller's lead in the GT driver standings by five points. Müller started the car from the third starting position, after qualifying fourth and moving up at the green flag after the second place qualifier moved to the rear of the grid. Hand took over just past the one-hour mark and ran a strong third before being demoted to fifth in the closing stages of the race.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – July 6, 2013 . . . Dirk Müller and John Edwards, driving the No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE, won today's American Le Mans Series Northeast Grand Prix from the pole position. The win increases Müller's lead in the GT driver point standings and moves BMW to within (unofficially) three points of the lead in the Manufacturer's Championship. Bill Auberlen and Maxime Martin, in the No. 55 Z4 GTE, finished fourth. The victory also resulted in the No. 56 machine being awarded the Michelin Green X Challenge Award adding an exclamation point on the story of the day.

On paper, the second victory in the debut season of the BMW Z4 GTE may look to have been an easy one as the No. 56 machine was almost always at the front of the GT field, but the 2.45-hour race at the Lime Rock Park circuit was never truly decided until the checkered flag waved. The late afternoon race start meant extreme summer heat for both team and drivers. Seemingly as hot as the day, Edwards started the race from his first ALMS pole and ran a trouble free first stint, pitting on lap 76 for Müller. The final 1.45 hours of the race was not an easy one for the GT points leader as the race was slowed by multiple caution periods erasing every lead Müller amassed. A late caution closed up the field with some 14 minutes remaining, but when the green flag waved with four minutes to go Müller would not be denied, winning by .905 seconds.

Martin started the No. 55 Z4 GTE from the second starting position. Early on he was hit, but was able to stay on the lead lap in tenth place. He drove a fine stint to move up to fifth before pitting under green on lap 77 to hand off to Auberlen. A change in strategy was made during the race's first caution period and Auberlen was pitted a few laps later to top off the fuel and change left side Michelins with the aim to run the remainder of the race. As others pitted, Auberlen moved to the front of the field and increased his lead to almost a full lap. Unfortunately, the plan went out the window when Auberlen was called into the pits for a questionable call by the officials for avoidable contact. He dropped back to ninth, ultimately finishing fourth to add a second top-five finish of the season.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – May 11, 2013 . . . Dirk Müller and John Edwards, driving the No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE, scored a third place finish in today's four-hour American Le Mans Monterey race. A second consecutive podium finish for the No. 56 machine and a win for the No. 55 car at Long Beach in only the third race of the new program keeps BMW in second place in the GT class manufacturer point standings and moves Müller to the top of the GT class driver points.

Müller started the car from the eighth starting position and by lap 27 had moved up to fourth. Just past the first hour, on lap 45, he moved to third and stayed there until handing off to Edwards on lap 57 during the race's third caution period. Edwards remained in third until what could only be considered as a move-of-the-race move gave him second with an in-an-out dodge through slower traffic. A mistake on a restart cost him one spot, but he held onto third for his first ALMS podium finish.

Unfortunately, the No. 55 Z4 GTE of Bill Auberlen and Maxime Martin suffered a broken differential shortly after the mid-point of the race and had to retire on lap 85. Auberlen started the car from the fifth position and ran strongly in third for most of his first stint. A pitstop to replace damaged rear body work dropped him back one lap, but he was back on the lead lap before handing off to Martin on lap 83. Only two laps later Martin was back in the pits in a cloud of oil smoke and, ultimately, out of the race.

BMW Team RLL Finishes 1-2 at Long Beach Z4 GTE wins in only second race of debut season.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – April 20, 2013 — The streets of Long Beach, California continue to be the favorite stomping grounds of BMW Team RLL as they finished 1-2 in today’s American Le Mans at Long Beach race. In only the second race for the new BMW Z4 GTE, the team beat a very competitive GT class field with excellent strategy set in place during the first hour of the two-hour contest around the 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit. BMW Team RLL has finished with at least one car on the Long Beach podium, including a win from the pole in 2011, for five consecutive years. Today’s victory puts BMW in a tie with Chevrolet at the top of the GT Class Manufacturer points. The win was also the first for the new BMW-Michelin partnership.

Martin started in the No. 55 car from the fourth spot. A spin on lap two dropped him to the rear of the field, but the first of three long caution periods in the first hour of the race gave the 55 crew the chance to reverse their fortune. Pitting Martin after 25 minutes, on lap 16, Auberlen got behind the wheel with a full tank of fuel and new Michelins. During the second caution period Auberlen pitted twice more for fuel only. When the race went green with 44 minutes run, the die was cast for the veteran to not return to the pits for the remainder of the race. A third caution during which the rest of field pitted allowed for a bit more breathing room for fuel conservation and Auberlen to cycle to the second position as the race went green just past the first hour. On lap 66 with 15 minutes left in the race, Auberlen took the lead and drove to his first win at the Long Beach.

Sebring – March 16, 2013 — For more than eight hours a top result was in reach for BMW Team RLL at the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season opener at the “Sebring International Raceway” (US). While in the end technical problems in the final third of the race denied Bobby Rahal's (US) squad a shot at a possible podium finish, BMW Motorsport was able to draw a positive conclusion after the race debut of the newly developed BMW Z4 GTE. The two cars showed a promising pace, finishing fourth and seventh in the GT category after 12 hours.

Bill Auberlen (US), Maxime Martin (BE) and Jörg Müller (DE) were able to battle it out at the front of the field with the Frozen Black No. 55 BMW Z4 GTE for most of the endurance classic, before the trio lost time and positions due to an issue with the power steering. After 330 laps, final-stint driver Müller crossed the line in fourth. The No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE, driven by Dirk Müller (DE), Joey Hand (US) and John Edwards (US), delivered an equally strong race, even leading for several kilometers in the BMW Z4 GTE's maiden ALMS race. However, a problem with the front left strut with three and a half hours to go made repair work necessary. Dirk Müller lost many positions, dropping down from second. Hand ultimately took the checkered flag in seventh. Corvette's Oliver Gavin (GB), Tommy Milner (US) and Richard Westbrook (GB) claimed victory in the GT class.

Nevertheless, BMW Motorsport and BMW Team RLL had every reason to be satisfied with the first outing of the BMW Z4 GTE in race conditions – on one of North America's most challenging circuits. All six drivers, including the series newcomers Martin and Edwards, were able to record competitive lap times with the new car and challenge the strong competition at the front of the GT pack. In addition, the engineers collected valuable insights over the course of the weekend, which will now be used for further development of the car and getting it prepared for the second ALMS race at Long Beach (US) on April 20.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – January 27, 2013— The No. 01 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates TELMEX/Target BMW Riley ended 24 hours of hard fought sports car racing at the 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona in the same position from which it started: First.

Starting from the pole-position, CGRFS co-drivers Scott Pruett, Charlie Kimball, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Memo Rojas completed 709 laps in the twice-around-the-clock endurance classic at the Daytona International Speedway to secure the famous pyramid-shaped trophy and Rolex watches. The car led a total of 420 laps and set the fastest lap of the race at 1:41.177 minutes on Lap 180.

The victory is the second overall Rolex 24 win for BMW with CGRFS. The first win came in 2011. Since the program began in 2010, the combination has combined for the GRANDAM Daytona Prototype Manufacturer’s championship in 2010 and 2011 and the Team and Driver titles (Pruett and Rojas) in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

BMW Team RLL Finish 3rd and 4th at Petit Le Mans.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – October 21, 2012 — BMW Team RLL finished its fourth season of American Le Mans Series competition with third and fourth place GT class finishes at the 15th annual 1,000-mile Petit Le Mans. The team’s seventh podium finish of the year, that included victories at Sebring and Road America, gave BMW third place in the GT class Manufacturer’s Championship. BMW Team RLL finished second in the Team Championship.

Bill Auberlen, Jörg Müller and Jonathan Summerton co-drove the No. 55 BMW M3 GT to a third-place finish in today’s race, completing 374 laps of the 2.54-mile Road Atlanta circuit. The result was the fourth podium finish of the season for the No. 55 machine. Auberlen and Müller shared the win at Road America.

The No. 56 machine was shared by Dirk Müller, Uwe Alzen and Summerton. The trio finished fourth, completing 373 laps to make it three podium finishes for the No. 56 M3 GT this season, including the victory at the season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring.

BMW Team RLL Finish 4th and 9th at Virginia International Raceway

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — September 15, 2012 — BMW Team RLL finished the inaugural American Le Mans Series race at Virginia International Raceway with the No. 55 M3 GT of Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller in fourth place and the No. 56 M3 GT of Dirk Müller and Jonathan Summerton in ninth place. The disappointing result ended the team's drive for a third consecutive GT class championship as Corvette Racing clinched the 2012 GT titles.

For the second consecutive race, a first turn altercation after the race start between prototype cars brought out the yellow flag and caused the balance of the field to scramble behind them. Müller, starting from the outside of the GT class front row, was forced onto the grass on driver's left and fell back to the tenth position. Auberlen, who had started from the seventh spot, had a bit more time to react and took to the grass on the inside of the corner, moving up to fourth. The two M3 GTs raced mid-field before pitting just before the races second yellow flag waved. Auberlen came in on lap 28 to hand off to Jörg Müller. Four laps later and just past the one hour mark Müller entered the pits and Jonathan Summerton took over. With one-and-one-half hours complete, Summerton held the third spot. Müller was two positions back in fifth. As the clock ticked past the mid-point of the race Summerton continued to hold the third spot. Müller was sixth.

Jörg Müller pitted the No. 56 M3 GT on lap 63 for fuel and new Dunlop tires. He remained in the car for a second stint. Summerton pitted five laps later to hand the No. 56 back to Dirk Müller. With one-and-one-half hours remaining the No. 56 held onto second, only some seven seconds behind the leader. The No. 55 moved up to fifth.

BMW Team RLL Finishes Fourth and Eighth at Baltimore

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — September 1, 2012 — BMW Team RLL experienced a disappointing day at the Baltimore Sports Car Challenge after a controversial call by the race steward took the lead of the race away from the No. 55 M3 GT on lap 21 with a one minute penalty for avoidable contact. Ultimately finishing in eighth place, the call ended what could have been a great day for Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller.

The No. 56 M3 GT of Joey Hand and Dirk Müller finished fourth after starting from the rear of the field. The move was required after the team elected to change to a new set of Dunlop tires for the race. Hand started the car and by lap 15 had moved up to sixth. Pitting from fourth on lap 26 he handed off to Müller. Müller challenged for third a number of times but was unable to make it stick, finishing fourth at the checkered flag.

The first 20 laps of Jörg Müller's race were outstanding. He started the No. 55 M3 GT on the outside of the front row and made it through a first turn of spinning prototype class cars with only minor damage. He moved to second as the race went back to green and on lap nine he took the lead with a quick-thinking, inside move in turn one after the leader was held up. Twelve laps later he was forced to the pits to serve the penalty that was determined to occur in the front straight chicane.

BMW Team RLL Wins Road America for the Third Time in Four Years

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — August 18, 2012 — For the third time in four seasons of American Le Mans Series competition, BMW Team RLL drove a BMW M3 GT across the Road America finish line first to win the four–hour Road America Road Race Showcase.

Today it was Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller who took the GT class victory in the No. 55 BMW M3 GT, racing past the checkered flag 2.63 seconds ahead of the No. 45 Porsche and the balance of the 13-car class. The duo completed 97 laps of the 4.048-mile circuit in the four-hour contest. Auberlen, who took the program's very first win here with Joey Hand in 2009, started the race from the fourth position. He drove the opening 21 laps before handing off to Müller just before the race's first full-course caution period. Müller cycled to the front as the balance of the field pitted and then drove 30 laps before pitting from the fifth spot to hand the No. 55 machine back to Auberlen. The Californian was forced back to the pits only one lap later to tighten the left rear wheel. He returned to the race in 11th with only the Team RLL mantra "Focus Forward" in mind as he stormed up to fourth-place in 17 laps. Auberlen pitted on lap 76 for new Dunlop tires and fuel, returning in fifth and, as luck would have it, just before the race's third full-course caution flag flew. With 38 minutes to go he cycled to the lead as the race went back to green. One more yellow flag slowed the race, but Auberlen was not to be beaten.

The No. 56 M3 GT of Dirk Müller and Jonathan Summerton ultimately finished 10th after Müller was forced off course by a competitor two laps before the finish and was unable to continue. The incident dashed team hopes for a 1-2 BMW finish as the cars had been running in that order near the closing stage of the race.

The team's fourth podium finish of the season keeps BMW second in Manufacturer points, 20 points behind Chevrolet. Hand and Müller, the 2011 class driver co-champions, move back to second in Driver points. Auberlen and Jörg Müller hold onto sixth place.

"With all the restrictions the series has placed upon us, and the freedoms they have given to the competition, we are just not fast enough, "said Bobby Rahal, Team Principal. "There is an obvious imbalance evident in the last few races and I hope that the ALMS will do the right thing. When you know you don't have the pace you have to rely on strategy and luck. This week the Corvette had an incident and we got lucky again. We need to get back to fair and equal footing and give these guys a run for their money."

BMW Team RLL – Finish Fourth and Eighth at Grand Prix of Mosport

July 22, 2012 — BMW Team RLL persevered through today's 2.45-hour American Le Mans Series Grand Prix of Mosport to finish fourth and eighth in the GT class. Limited by technical regulations that have reduced the M3 GT's top speed, the fans that lined Mosport's 2.459 miles were unable to watch the 2010 and 2011 GT class champions in their familiar positions at the front of the field.

Joey Hand and Dirk Müller were fourth at the checkered flag in the No. 56 M3 GT to stay third in the GT driver standings. Müller started the car from the sixth position and ran as high as third before pitting on lap 30 for fuel and tires. On lap 62 he pitted to turn the car over to Joey Hand. Hand pitted once more for tires and fuel in the final 49 laps of the race, but was unable to move up to a podium finishing position for the third consecutive race.

Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller finished eighth in the No. 55 M3 GT. Auberlen started the car from the third spot and took advantage of the race's first caution period to pit for fuel and tires on lap 14. Running as high as second he was only seven seconds behind the class leader at the one hour mark. Forced to the pits under green on lap 51 for new tires he handed off to Jörg Müller who returned to the race in the ninth spot one lap down to the leaders. Müller moved up to sixth before needing new tires just before the two-hour mark. He rejoined the race in the eight spot, holding that position to the checkered flag. Auberlen and Müller remain sixth in GT driver points.

July 2, 2012 — BMW Team RLL will bring a streak of three consecutive podium finishes in the first three races of the 2012 season, including a win at the 12 Hours of Sebring, to the July 7th American Le Mans Series Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park, in Lakeville, Conn. Since the team's 2009 season debut at least one BMW Team RLL M3 has finished on the podium at BMW of North America's home track. A third place finish in 2009 led to a double podium 2-3 result in 2010. Last year's eventual GT driver co-champions Joey Hand and Dirk Müller won the race after starting from the pole and leading every lap.

Often described as a "bull ring," Lime Rock Park's 1.5 miles is a fast ride through just seven corners. Only turn three is left-handed. In fact, it will take longer to read this release than Joey Hand's record setting pole time last year of 50.925 seconds.

Hand and Müller currently stand second in GT driver points following a win (with Jonathan Summerton) at Sebring, a second place finish at Long Beach and a fourth place finish at Laguna Seca in the No. 56 BMW Team RLL M3.

BMW Victories in Daytona Prototype, GT and Street Tuner Highlight First Half of 2012 Grand-Am Season

June 26, 2012 — With seven races of the 13 race 2102 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series complete, BMW Power is back on top of the Daytona Prototype class. It is familiar territory for 2010 and 2011 class champion Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) drivers Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, but this season has been very different than the domination shown in previous years where the duo won 14 of 24 races.

A myriad of rules changes combined with new designs introduced by the competition had held the No. 01 BMW Riley to four podium finishes (two-seconds, two-thirds) in the first six races of the year, but the team broke through at the Road America 250 on June 23rd for their first victory of the year. Pruett and Rojas now hold a five point lead in the driver point standings and CGRFS leads the team points by an equal amount.

CGRFS recently announced the entry of a second BMW Powered Daytona Prototype for the inaugural Grand-Am race at the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27th. The No. 02 Chevron sponsored entry will be driven by 2000 Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya and 2012 Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 winner Jamie McMurray.

BMW Team RLL Finish Third and Fourth at Laguna Seca

May 12, 2012 — Although both BMW Team RLL M3 GTs led the GT class for a significant part of the six-hour American Le Mans Monterey race, they ultimately finished in the third and fourth positions.

Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller completed 232 laps of the 2.238-mile, 11-turn Laguna Seca circuit bringing the No. 55 BMW M3 GT home in third place, scoring their first podium together and delivering the team's third consecutive podium of the season.

Joey Hand and Dirk Müller finished just behind their teammates in fourth place. Both drivers were on the receiving end of aggressive contact by competitors during the race, with Hand getting the worst of it while leading. Rear ended by the second place Corvette just past the mid-race mark, the No. 56 M3 GT would ultimately lose the rear fascia and diffuser affecting the car's aerodynamic balance for the remainder of the race.

BMW Team RLL at Long Beach; Four Years – Four Podiums

April 14, 2012 — With a second place GT class finish by the
No. 56 BMW Team RLL M3 GT in today's American Le Mans Series at Long Beach race, BMW is tied for the manufacturer's point lead. The second podium of the young ALMS season for Joey Hand and Dirk Müller solidifies their lead in the driver's standings.

The defending GT driver co-champions started the race from the class pole with Hand at the wheel of the No. 56 BMW M3 GT. Hand led the race for the opening 16 laps until a prototype ran into him causing a puncture of the right rear tire. Hand pitted for fuel and four new tires, returning to the race in the seventh position. The race's only caution period brought him back to the pits on lap 41 where Bobby Rahal made a bold strategic move to not change tires and jump the field in the pits to send the BMW Motorsport driver out in the lead. Müller lost the lead, but drove a strong stint to extend BMW Team RLL's Long Beach podium streak to four years.

Teammates Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller, driving the No. 55 M3 GT, finished out of the points in 11th. Müller, making his first start at Long Beach, was the victim of a first lap accident that forced him to the pits for lengthy repairs to replace the radiator. He returned 13 laps down to the leaders, but put his head down, setting some of the fastest laps of that part of the race. He handed off to Auberlen during the race's only caution period and the Californian, who podiumed here in both 2009 and 2010, did not disappoint his home race fans as he circulated at a very fast pace until the checkered flag.

BMW Team RLL — Long Beach ALMS Preview

April 9, 2012 — Following a four–week intermission after BMW Team RLL's GT class victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring American Le Mans Series curtain-raiser, the second act of the team's ALMS GT class title defense will be set in the streets of Long Beach, California on April 14.

Last year Joey Hand and Dirk Müller had starring roles as Long Beach race winners and, ultimately, GT class driver's champions. This year's story has begun much as the last with Hand and Müller sharing a second consecutive Sebring 12 Hour victory – this time supported by Jonathan Summerton, of Kissimmee, Fla., as third driver.

Only two hours long, the Long Beach race is not only the shortest of the season, but the tight confines of the 1.968–mile, 11–turn temporary street circuit set a stage for high drama and conflict.

BMW Team RLL claims 12 Hours of Sebring GT victory for a second consecutive year.

March 17 2012. — Sebring, March 17th 2012. BMW Team RLL had an excellent start
to the 2012 American Le Mans Series season. At the 60th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring
(US) the No. 56 BMW M3 GT claimed overall victory in the GT class after 307 laps of
the "Sebring International Raceway" and a dramatic final stage of the race. Over the
course of the thrilling marathon, Dirk Müller (DE), Joey Hand (US) and Jonathan
Summerton (US) shared the driving duties. Last year, Müller and Hand (along with
Andy Priaulx) crossed the line as winners in the BMW M3 GT at the season opener.

The sister BMW M3 GT, Number 155, was driven by Jörg Müller (DE), Bill Auberlen
(US) and Uwe Alzen (DE). The trio finished the race, which saw a combined field of
ALMS GT cars and FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) GTE entries, in fifth
overall and scored fourth place points in ALMS GT class.

Summerton experienced a perfect debut in sports car racing by making it to the top
step of the podium. With today's win, a BMW M3 has now emerged victorious in the
GT class of this event for the fourth time: 1997, 1998, 2011 and 2012. BMW
claimed overall victory in 1975 with the BMW 3.0 CSL, as well as with the BMW V12
LMR in 1999. With BMW M celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, this historic win
comes as the perfect present.

BMW Team RLL kicks off the 2012 ALMS season in Sebring

Mar 12, 2012 — Munich, March 12th 2012. BMW Team RLL launches the defense of its titles in the GT class of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) at the 12 Hours of Sebring (US) this Saturday. The "Sebring International Raceway" is the oldest circuit in North America and this year hosts the spectacular endurance race for the 60th time.

This is not the only important anniversary this year: BMW M is celebrating its 40th birthday in 2012. A BMW M3 has triumphed in the GT class at Sebring on four occasions — 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2011. BMW also has two overall victories to its name. In 1975 the BMW 3.0 CSL won in Florida, while the BMW V12 LMR prototype crossed the line first after 12 hours in 1999.

Joey Hand (US) and Dirk Müller (DE) return to the ALMS as reigning GT champions. This year they will once again alternate behind the wheel of the No. 56 BMW M3 GT. Twenty-three year old Jonathan Summerton (US) will join them as the third driver in Sebring, and will also line up at a further three races over the course of the season.

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DTM

BMW Motorsport had yet another successful year in its third Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) season since its return to the series in 2012. Last year, Marco Wittmann of BMW Team RMG — the youngest German DTM champion of all time — won the Driver Championship and Team RMG won the Team Championship, with BMW finishing second in the Manufacturer Championship. BMW Team RMG finished second from bottom in the team standings in 2013, but has now won the title in dominant fashion just one year later — winning half of all the races in the 2014 season.

In 2014, the BMW M4 DTM emphatically proved its capabilities with five wins, eleven podiums, four pole positions and four fastest laps. No other DTM manufacturer enjoyed as many victories as BMW. After ten thrilling races, the Bavarian manufacturer repeated 2012's feat and emerged with the Driver title for Marco Wittmann, Team title with BMW Team RMG and finished second in the Manufacter Championship with a total of 369 points. In 2013 and for the last season of the BMW M3 DTM, BMW took the Manufacturers title while BMW Team RBM and Augusto Farfus finished second in respectively the Team and Driver Championships.